LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -
The UNLV baseball team picked up a midweek victory Tuesday night, topping UC Riverside 10-1 at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. A close game was blown open in the fifth inning as the Rebel offense came to life, scoring seven runs on five hits.

Rebel starter Mark Shannon (3-3) was sharp on the mound, allowing one run in five-and-a-third innings pitched. The left-hander scattered eight hits while picking up his third win of the season. Senior Brady Zuniga also came up big in relief. The right-hander worked two-and-two-thirds innings, retiring all eight batters he faced.

The Rebels (21-24) got the scoring started early, plating two runs in first. Scott Dysinger, Shannon and Brandon Bayardi strung together back-to-back-to-back singles, giving UNLV an early 2-0 advantage.

UC Riverside (14-24) answered with a run of its own in the fourth after back-to-back doubles by Clayton Prestridge and Phil Holinsworth to open the frame. That was all the Highlanders would get, however, as Shannon came back to pick up a pair of groundouts and a strikeout to limit the damage at one.

UNLV would score one more run in the fourth before ultimately putting the game out of reach in the fifth. The fifth inning rally was aided by a Riverside error and a pair of walks as 11 men came to the plate for the Rebels.

UNLV and UC Riverside will conclude their two-game set on Wednesday at 3:05 p.m. The game can be heard live on UNLVRebels.com.

NOTE: The family of Spencer Melvin, the Peccole Little League player who tragically passed away in April, will throw out the first pitch before Wednesday's game. The UNLV baseball team will be wearing the memorial patches that are being sold to support the family.